Mining machine



March 7, 1933 F. w. VODOZ 1,900,780

MINING MACHINE Original Filed Aug. 11, 1950 2 Sheets-Sheet l March 7, 1933. w vonoz I "1,900,780

MINING MACHINE 7 Original Filed Aug. 11, 1950 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 jucniaf flea 6170f 21/. 560 04,

Patented Mar. 7, 1933 nmran STATES PATENT OFFICE FREDERICK W. VODOZ OF WILMETTE, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR TO GOODMAN MANUFACTUR- ING COMPANY, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION OF ILLINOIS MINING MACHINE Application filed August 11, 1930, Serial No. 474,410. Renewed July 27, 1932.

This invention relates to improvements in mining machines and has for its principal object to provide a portable hand controlled device for removing the cuttings from the path of a cutter bar of a mining machiner As shown herein, my invention is applied to a machine of the truck mounted type adapted to cut an arcuate kerf at or near the mine bottom, but it will be understood that it may also be applied to cutting machines of the longwall or continuous cutter type.

In carrying out my invention, a portable screw conveyor is provided which is adapted to be detachably connectible to a mining machine at a position adjacent the rearward end of the cutter chain. This conveyor is actuated by suitable power producing means also movable with the conveyor. This provides a compact, light and simple method for effectively removing cuttings from the path of the cutter chain and eliminates hand labor for removing said cuttings. The re moval of these cuttings is particularly advantageous for the efficient operation of a machine of the type adapted to cut-arcuate kerfs in the mine wall adjacent the mine bottom due to the fact that the cutter bar is moved about a fixed pivotal axis disposed rearwardly of its rearward end and movement of the rearward portion of the cutter bar is relatively small compared to the length of kerf cut, thereby causing an accumulation of cuttings adjacent the rearward end of the cutter chain that tend to be moved back into the kerf by the cutter chain when not removed from the path'thereof. 7

My invention may be more readily understood with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein:

Figure 1 is a top plan-view of the device embodying my invention with parts broken away and in section;

Figure 2 is a side elevation of the device shown in Figure 1 with parts broken away and in section;

Figure 3 is a partial fragmentary plan view of the forward end of thedevice embodying my invention with parts broken away and in section;

' therefrom,

Figure 4 is a partial fragmentary side elevation of a form of the device embodying my invention with parts broken away and in section;

.Figure 5 is an enlarged sectional view taken on line 5-5 of Figure 2;

Figure 6 is an enlarged sectional view taken on line 6-6 of Figure 2;

Figure 7 is a fragmentary plan View of the forward portion of a mining machine having the device embodying my invention attached thereto; and

Figure8 is a fragmentary front view of a mining machine having the device embodying my invention attached thereto.

Like numerals refer tolike parts throughout the various figures. 7

Referring now in particular to the drawings, my invention is shown as applied to a mining machine 1 of the slabbing type which is adapted to cut a kerf in the mine wall at the mine bottom or at various elevations with respect thereto. The mining machine herein'illustrated is similar to that shown in a prior application bearing Serial No. 157,005, filed by lVilliam T. McCullough, December 25, 1926, and will not herein be shown or described in detail excepting as to parts which particularly pertain to my invention.

' The mining machine-1 is only partially shown in the drawings and includes a depending vertically adjustable cutter head 2 having a cutter bar 3 projecting forwardly which cutter bar has a cutter chain t movable thereabout in a usual manner.

- Referring now in particular to the novel features of my invention, a portable cuttings gathering and conveying means, generally indicated at 6, is provided to collect the cuttings discharged from the cutter chain and remove said cuttings therefrom. This cuttings gathering and conveying mechanism includes a trough 7 adapted to be detachably connectible to the forward end of the mining machine and to .rest on the mine bottom near its forward end. This trough is mounted on wheels 8 and an axle 9 near the rearward end thereof so that said trough may be held in an inclined position with respect to the mine bottom and may be readily moved about the mine bottom upon movement of the mining machine.

Referring to the means for supporting the trough 7 for movement about the mine on the wheels 8, a support member 10 is pivot-ally mounted on the axle 9 adjacent member 11 with the 1" iron 12 by insertion in holes in the member 11 and corresponding holes 13 in said T iron. Thus the member 11 may be attached to the T iron 12 at various points along the length of said T iron to vary the angle of inclination of the trough 7 with respect to the mine bottom and said trough may be pivotally moved about the axis of the axle 9 or the pin 14 to enable the conveyor trough 7 to be tilted at various angles with respect to the mine bottom so said trough may adapt itself to an uneven mine bottom and varying cutting conditions.

Means are provided to limit pivotal movement of the trough 7 about the axis of the pin 14, which hereinc'omprise stops 16, 16 extending upwardly from the support 10 on each side of the trough 7 and adapted to engage the under portion of said trough.

A section 17 of the trough 7 extends rearwardly front said trough and has a rearward end 18 adapted to receive the forward end of a motor 19. The motor 19 is an electric motor of a usual construction having handles 20 and 21 extending outwardly from'each side thereof and is controlled by a lever 22 on the handle 20 in a usual manner. Means are provided to flexibly support the motor 19 on the conveyor trough 7 which comprises a member 23, preferably made from spring steel and so shaped as to permit limited flexible movement of said motor. The member 23 is fastened to the under portion of the trough 7 and extends rearwardly thereirom and is attached to the rearward end of the motor 19 by means of suitable cap screws or any other iolding means and forms a support adapted to take care of vibration of said motor during the driving operation.

A motor shaft 25 extends forwardly from the motor 19 and is provided with a rectangularly shaped forward end. A coupling shaft 26 is pivotally connected to the rectangularlv shaped portion of the motor shaft 25 by a nut and bolt 27 so as to be pivotally movable with respect thereto about the axis of said bolt. The forward end of the coupling shaft 26 is forked and is pivotally connected to a rectangularly shaped rearward end of a screw conveyor 29 by means of a nut and bolt 30 in a manner similar to which the motor shaft is connected to said coupling shaft.

The screw conveyor 29 is of an ordinary construction and rests in the trough and extends along said trough for substantially the entire length thereof. The forward end of said screw conveyor adapted to be positioned adjacent the path of the cuttings discharged by the cutter chain 4: and is pro vided with a suitable cuttings agitating and propelling means which may be a bit 31 as is shown in Figure 4-, or which may be a cuttings propeller 32 as is shown in Figures 2 and 3. Thus the motor 19 is directly connectible with the screw conveyor 29 to drive said. screw conveyor through universal coupling which. comprises the coupling shaft 26, and the rotation of said conveyor is controlled by the lever 22 on the handle 20, which handle also serves as a means for controlling the movement of'the conveying mechanism 6 about the mine. It may be seen that the screw conveyor rests di rectly in the trough 7 to gather the cuttings discharged by the cutter chain 4; and move said cuttings upwardly along the inclined trough 7 and that said screw conveyor is directly connectible with the motor 19 flexibly mounted on the trough 7 at the rear ward end thereof which provides a simplified drive and means for controlling said conveyor so constructed to compensate for vibration of said conveyor.

Means are provided to prevent the cuttings propeller 32 from fouling the cutter chain 4, which means herein comprises a guard 33 extending forwardly from each side of the trough 7 and upwardly above said trough and having its forward end 11- gageable with the cutter. head 2. This guard also serves as a means to connect the cuttings collecting and conveying means 6 to the mining machine 1 and is connected to said mining machine by means of a hook 35 which is attached to the cutter head 2 and adapted to be booked in the guard 33.

The trough 7 is provided with a shovel faced nose 37 at its forward end, which nose is engageable with the mine bottom and is detachably held to the trough 7 by suitable means herein shown as nuts and bolts ()O and retaining strips 39. The shovel faced 'nose' 37 is shaped so as to conform to the path of the cuttings discharged by the cutter chain 4 and deflect said cuttings into the screw conveyor 29 and has a flexible deflector 36 attached to the side adjacent the coal face to aid in deflecting the cuttings into tr il discharge of said cuttings said screw conveyor. When the mining machine is cutting in a direction opposite a that shown in Figure 8 and it is desired to gather and remove the cuttings from the i )ath of the cutter chain the cuttin s athersha ed iositel to the shovel faced'nose P Pi 3 37 may be substituted therefor to conform to the path of the cuttings on the opposite side of the machine and deflect said cu tings into the path of the screw conveyor Means are provided for discharging cute tings from the trough 7 and the screw conveyor 29, which means herein comprise an arcuate shaped deflector plate in the rearward section 17 which deflects the cuttings through an'opening 41 in said rearward section and a hood 42 which extends over the rearward section 17 of the trough 7 to prevent scattering of the cuttings and aid in through the opening 4-1 (see Figs. 1, 2 and 6).

Referring now in particular to Figures 7 and 8, it may be seen that when the cuttings gathering and conveying mechanism 6 is adjacent the rearward retreating side of the cutter head 2 and when the guard 33 abuts said cutter head that cuttings discharged from the cutter chain i are deflected into the trough 7 ant screw conveyor 29 by means of the shovel faced nose 37 and flexible deflector 36, i

It may thus be seen that a simple, light and eiifective means has been provided to gather the cuttings discharged from the cutter 'J chain of a mining machine of the slabbing type, which means is operative from the rearward end thereof to efficiently remove the cuttings from the path of the cutter ch to prevent said cutter chain from carrying said cuttings back into the lrerf and thus make possible the efiicient operation of a mining machine of the type above descrired and climii t hand labor in the removal of the cuttings from the path of the cutter chain.

Although I have herein shown and described one form in which my invention may be embodied, it will be understood that the construction thereof and the arrangement of he various parts may be altered without departing from the spirit and scope thereof. Furthermore, I do not wish to be construed as limiting myself to the specific embodiment illustrated in the drawings, excepting as it may be limited by the appended claims.

I claim as my invention:

1. In combination with a mining machine having a cutter bar with a cutter chain movable thereabout adapted tocut a kerf adja-. cent the mine floor, means for clearing the cuttings from the path of said cutter chain comprising a screw conveyor detachabl 1 connectible with said mining machine and having a receiving end disposed adjacent the path of said cutter chain. r

2. In combination with a minin machine having a cutter bar with a cutter 0 rain mov able thereabout adapted to cut a kerf adjacent the mine floor, means for clearing the cuttings from the path of said cutter chain comprising an inclined screw conveyor detachably connectible with said minin machine adjacent the retreating side of said cutter bar.

3. In combination with a mining machine havin a cutter bar with a cutter chain movable t ereabout adapted to cut a kerf adjacent the mine floor, means for clearing the cuttings from the path of said cutter chain comprising a portable inclined screw, conveyor detachably connectible with said mining machine adjacent the retreating side of said cutter bar.

4. In combination with a mining machine having a depending cutter head, a cutter bar projecting forwardly from said cutter head with a cutter chain movable thereabout adapted to out a kerf adjacent the mine floor, and means for clearing the cuttings from the path of said cutter chain comprising a portable inclined screw conveyor detachably connectible with said cutter head adjacent its forward end'and having cuttings discharge means adjacent its rearward end. Y

5. In combination with a mining machine having a depending cutterhead, a cutter bar projecting forwardly from said cutter head having a cutter chain movable thereabout adapted to cut a kerf adjacent the mine floor, and means for clearing the cuttings from the path of said cutter chain comprising conveying means detachably connectible with said mining machine comprising an inclined trough having a screw conveyor therein, a motor at the rearward end of said trough, and means for directly connecting said motor with said screw conveyor. 6. In combination with a mining machine having a depending cutter head, a cutter bar projecting forwardly from said cutter head-having a cutter chain movable thereabout adapted to cut a kerf adjacent the mine floor, and means for clearing the cuttings from the path of said cutter chain comprising conveying means detachably connectible with said mining machine comprising an inclined trough having a screw conveyor therein, a motor at the rearward end of said trough, means for directly con necting said motor with said screw conveyor, and means for flexibly connecting said motor with said trough comprising a spring member extending rearwardly from said trough and connectible with said motor.

7 In combination with a mining machine having a. cutter bar with a cutter chain movable thereabout adapted to cut a kerf adjacent the mine floor, and means for clearscrew conveyor therein, a motor at the rearward end of said trough, means for directly connecting said motor with said screw conveyor, and means for flexibly connecting said motor with said trough comprising a spring member extending rearwardly from said trough, and having supporting connection with the rearward end of said motor.

8. In combination with a mining machine having a cutter bar with a cutter chain movable thereabout adapted to cut a lzerf adj acent'the mine floor, and means for clearing the cuttings from the path of said cutter chain comprising conveying means detachably connectible with said mining machines comprising an inclined trough having a screw conveyor therein, a motor at the rearward end of said trough, means for connecting said motor with said screw conveyor, means for supporting said trough in an inclined position for movement about the mine comprising an axle having a pair of wheels thereon, and means for allowing said trough to move about the axis of said axle and an axis disposed transversely thereof.

9. In combination with a mining machine having a cutter bar with a cutter chain movable thereabout adapted to cut a kerf adjacent the mine floor, and means for clearing the cuttings from the path of said cutter chain comprising conveying means detachably connectible with said mining machine comprising an inclined trough having a screw conveyor therein, a motor at the rearward end of said trough, means for connecting said motor with said screw conveyor, means for supporting said trough in an inclined position for movement about the mine comprising an axle having a pair of wheels thereon, and means for allowing said trough to move about the axis of said axle and an axis disposed transversely thereof, comprising a support member pivotally connectible with said axle, and a member pivotally connectible with said support member to move about an axis disposal transversely of said axle and having connection with said trough.

10. In combination with a mining machine having a cutter bar with a cutter chain movable thcreabout adapted to cut a kerf adjacent the mine fioor, and means for clearing the cuttings from the path of said cutter chain comprising conveying means detachably connectible with said mining machine comprising an inclined trough having a screw conveyor therein, a motor at the rearward end of said trough, means for connecting said motor with said screw conveyor, means for supporting said trough in various inclined positions with respect to the mine bottom comprising an axle, a pair of wheels thereon, and means for adjustably connecting said trough with said wheels comprising a member extending longitudinally of said trough for a portion of its length and fixed to the under portion thereof, a member detachably connectible with said last mentioned member at various positions along said first mentioned member, a support member pivotally connectible with said axle, and means for pivotally connecting said last mentioned member with said support member.

11. In combination with a mining machine having a cutter bar with a cutter chain movable thereabout adapted to cut a kerf adjacent the mine floor, and means for clearing the cuttings from the path of said cutter chain comprising conveying means detachablv connectible with said mining machine comprising an inclined trough having a screw conveyor therein, a motor at the rearward end of said trough, means for connecting said motor with said screw conveyor, means for supporting said trough in various inclined positions with respect to the mine bottom comprising an axle having a pair of wheels thereon, and means for adjustably connecting said trough with said wheels comprising a member extending longitudinally of said trough for a portion of its length and fixed to the under portion thereof, a member detachably connectible with said last mentioned member at various positions along said first mentioned member, a support member pivotally connectible with said axle, means for pivotally connecting said last mentioned member with said support member and means for limiting pivotal movement of said trough about the axis of said last mentioned member.

12. In combination with a mining machine having a depending (utter head, a cutter bar projecting forwardly from said cutter head having a cutter chain movable thcreabout adapted to cut an arcuate kerf adjacent the mine floor, and means for clearing the cuttings from the path of said cutter chain comprising conveying means detachably connetible with said mining machine comprising an inclined trough having a screw conveyor therein, a motor at the rearward end of said trough, means for connecting said motor with said screw conveyor, means for supporting said trough in various inclined positions with respect to the mine bottom comprising an axle having a pair of wheels thereon, means for adjustably connecting said trough with said wheels comprising a member extending CII longitudinally of said trough for a portion of its length and fixed to the under portion thereof, a member detachably connectible with said last mentioned member at various positions along said first mentioned mem her, a support member pivotally connectible with said axle, means for pivotally connecting said last mentioned member withsaid support m mber and means for limiting pivotal movement of said trough about the axis of said last mentioned member, comprising a plurality of stops extending upwardly from said support member. a

13. In combination with a mining machine having a cutter bar with a cutter chain movable thereabout adapted to cut a kerf adjacent the mine floor, and means for clearing the cuttings from the path of said cutter chain comprising conveying means detachably connectible with said mining machine adjacent the rearward retreating side of said cutter bar comprising an inclined trough having a screw conveyor therein, a motor connectible with one end'of said screw conveyor and cuttingsagitating means on the opposite end of said screw conveyor.

14. In combination with a mining machine having a cutter bar with a cutter chain movable thereabout adapted to cut a kerf adjacent the mine fioor, and means for clearing the cuttings from the path of said cutter chain comprising conveying means detachably connectible with said mining machine adjacent the retreating side of said cutter bar comprising an inclined trough, a screw conveyor loosely mounted in said inclined trough, and cuttings agitating means on the forward end of said screw conveyor.

15. In combination with a mining machine having a depending cutter head, a cutter bar projecting forwardly from said cutter head having a cutter chain movable thereabout adapted to cut an arcuate kerf adjacent the mine floor, and means for clearing the cuttings from the path of said cutter chain comprisin conveying means detachably connectible with said mining machine adjacent the rearward retreating side of said cutter bar including an inclined trough, a screw conveyor loosely mounted in said inclined trough, and cuttings agitating means on the forward end of said screw conveyor, comprising a cuttings propeller.

16. In combination with a mining ma chine having a depending cutter head, a

cutt r bar projecting forwardly from said:

cutter head having a cutter chain movable thereabout adapted to cut an arcuate kerf aujacent the mine floor, and means for clearing the cuttings from the path of said cutter chain comprising cuttings gathering and conveying means detachably connectible with said mining machine adjacent the rearward retreating side of said cutter bar including an inclined trough, a crew conveying machine adjacent the rearward retreating side of said cutter bar comprising an in,- clined trough, a motor, a screw conveyor loosely mounted in said inclined trough, and means for holding said screwconveyor screw conveyor comprising a universal coupling connectible with said motor and said screw conveyor. v

18. In combination with a mining machine having a depending cutter head, a cutter. bar projecting forwardly from said outter head. having a cutter chain movable thereabout adapted to cut an arcuate kerf adjacent the mine floor, and means for clearing the cuttings from the path of said cutter chain comprising cuttings gathering and conveying means detachably connectible with said mining machine adjacent the rearward retreating side of said cutter bar comprising an inclined trough having a forward end engageable with the mine bottom and adapted to deflect the cuttings discharged from said cutter chain into said trough, a motor rearwardly of said inclined trough, a

screw conveyor loosely mounted in said inc clined trough, cuttings propelling means on the forward end of said screw conveyor, and flexible connecting means for flexibly connecting the rearward end of said screw conveyor with said motor.

19. In combination with a mining machine having a depending cutter head, a cutter bar projecting forwardly from said cutter head having a cutter chain movable thereabout adapted to cut an arcuate kerf adjacent the mine floor, and means for clearing the cuttings from the path of said cutter chain comprising a cuttings gathering and conveying means detachably connectible with said mining machine adjacent the rearward retreating side of said cutter bar including an inclined trough having a forward end engageable with the mine bottom and adapted to deflect the cuttings discharged from said cutter chain into said trough, wheels for; supporting the rearward end of said inclined trough, a motor rearwardly of said inclined trough, a screw conveyor mounted in said inclinedtrough having its rearward end directly connectible with said motor, and

in said inclined trough and rotating said 63.

means on said motor for manually moving said cuttings gathering and conveying means on said wheels and for controlling the rotation of said motor and screw conveyor.

20. In combination with a mining machine having a depending cutter head, a cutter bar )rojccting forwardly from said cutter head having a cutter chain movable thereabout adapted to cut an arcuate kerf adjacent the 10 mine floor, and means for clearing the cut-- tings from the path of said cutter chain comprising cuttings gathering and conveying means detachably connectible with said mining machine adjacent the rearward retreating side of said cutter bar comprising an inclined trough having a forward end engageable wth the mine bottom and adapted to deflect the cuttings discharged from said cutter chain into said trough, a motor rearwardly of said inclined trough, a screw conveyor loosely mounted in said inclined trough, cuttings propelling means on the forward end of said screw conveyor, and flexible connecting means for flexibly connecting the rearward end of said screw conveyor with said motor comprising a universal coupling and means for manually moving said cuttings gathering and conveying means and controlling said motor, comprising a handle extending from each side of said motor and a motor control switch on one of said handles.

Signed at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, this 9th day of August,

as A. D. 1930.

FREDERICK W. VODOZ. 

